Storms in the Araucanía region leave 3,012 homeless

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SANTIAGO.- As of today, a storm that has been affecting the Araucanía Region for five days has left one woman dead and 3,012 people without homes. The victims suffered damage to their roofs, resulting in the flooding of their homes.

Concerning the 6 thousand people that have been stranded as a result of the storm front, the director of the National Emergency Office (ONEMI), Carmen Fernández, stated that the figure is an estimate, since authorities need to confirm that the victims have no other road leading out of the area other than the one that is normally used.

Fernández reiterated that, the province of Cautín, where 22 victims are located, has been on yellow alert since yesterday due to torrential rainfall that, according to recent weather forecasts, "is not expected to improve and therefore maximum measures should be taken".

Meanwhile, in the municipality of Villarrica, flooding is still being reported due to rainfall in various sectors of the city.

Fernández announced that two national deployment units, along with clothing and bedding for shelters, have been sent to the region to help the local emergency team and aid storm victims.